Spencer Ackerman is learning this one the hard way, after having stained his tie ahead of his Al Jazeera English TV appearance: always keep a spare necktie at the office.  Preferably, one that goes with anything.  (Mine’s solid red with a subtle textured pattern.)

For good measure, I keep an old navy blazer and a spare white shirt there, too.  You never know when you’ll need ‘em, either because you’ve spilled something or because you suddenly need to be dressed more formally than you thought.

About James Joyner

James Joyner is the publisher of Outside the Beltway and the managing editor of a DC think tank. He's a former Army officer, Desert Storm vet, and college professor. He has a PhD in political science from The University of Alabama.